Photobooth

ABSTRACT

A portable photobooth system includes a frame, fabric, a movable curtain, and a digital camera. The frame includes a plurality of tubular members configured to be connected together and capable of disassembly for storage and transport. The plurality of tubular members of the frame includes a substantially vertically-extending first bar and a U-shaped fitting attached to the first bar. The fabric covers at least portions of the frame to define a rectangular box-like enclosure having a doorway. The movable curtain is configured for covering the doorway. The digital camera is supported by the U-shaped fitting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No.60/919,824 filed Mar. 23, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a portable photobooth that can be usedat special events such as a wedding reception or party.

Recently, photobooths have become popular at weddings. Guests areinvited to enter an automated portrait studio. After producing a seriesof self portraits, the images are immediately printed, and the guestscan leave with an original keepsake to remember the wedding day.

The photobooths that have been used at weddings have typically beenvending machine type booths that are very costly to transport and setup. For instance, vending machine type booths typically are made ofheavy and bulky materials, such as wood or composite panels connected ina fixed configuration. Typically, these vending machine type booths areunattractive and inconsistent in appearance with the location where theevent is taking place.

Another drawback of vending machine type photobooths is that theytypically do not produce high quality images. In addition, thesephotobooths typically do not archive their images. As a result, thebridal couple or event sponsor, who has paid for the photobooth, oftendoes not get a chance to enjoy the resulting pictures because the gueststake the photos home with them.

Vending machine type photobooths also tend to be relatively small. Onlya limited number of people can fit within the photobooth at the sametime.

SUMMARY

A portable photobooth system includes a frame, fabric, a movablecurtain, and a digital camera. The frame includes a plurality of tubularmembers configured to be connected together and capable of disassemblyfor storage and transport. The plurality of tubular members of the frameincludes a substantially vertically-extending first bar and a U-shapedfitting attached to the first bar. The fabric covers at least portionsof the frame to define a rectangular box-like enclosure having adoorway. The movable curtain is configured for covering the doorway. Thedigital camera is supported by the U-shaped fitting.

In another aspect of the present invention, a photography methodincludes assembling a photobooth enclosure, installing a digital camerawithin the photobooth enclosure, capturing at least one self-portrait ofa user within the photobooth enclosure using the digital camera, savingthe at least one self-portrait as one or more electronic photo images,printing a selected one of the one or more electronic photo images at ornear a location where the photobooth enclosure is assembled, andproviding access to the one or more electronic photo images for laterretrieval. The step of assembling a photobooth enclosure includesassembling a frame of the photobooth enclosure by connecting tubularmembers together and placing a fabric covering on the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a photobooth system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a photobooth framefor the photobooth system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the photobooth system utilizing thefirst embodiment of the photobooth frame.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a photoboothframe of the photobooth system with a fabric covering partiallyinstalled.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the photobooth system utilizing thesecond embodiment of the photobooth frame.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a photography subsystem ofthe photobooth system being installed to a U-fitting of a photoboothframe.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of lighting being installed to a photoboothframe.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a pair of cases each holding components ofthe photobooth system.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for assembling andoperating the photobooth system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, a portable, modular photobooth system includes a frame ofconnectable tubular members and a fabric cover that is draped over theframe to produce an enclosed portrait studio. The frame is made up of aset of lightweight frame components can be transported to the site of awedding or other event in a portable container and quickly assembled.The frame defines the top, side (or sidewalls), and door opening of thephotobooth enclosure. Horizontal supports extending between verticalsupports at a location spaced from the ground are provided to increaserigidity of the frame. The frame includes supports for mounting adigital camera, a computer, and lighting. The fully assembled photoboothsystem provides means for a person of group of persons to take selfportraits in the photobooth, and for any resultant photos to be bothelectronically stored for later retrieval and made available on-site asinstant photo printouts for guests to take with them from the event. Thephotobooth system allows the use of professional studio lightingequipment and quality digital cameras in order to provide true portraitstudio results. The photobooth system is suitable for use at weddings,formal parties, and other events, with a generally attractive appearancethat is consistent with the location where an event is taking place. Thephotobooth system produces high quality photo images that can be printedfor guest to take copies with them, while also allowing archiving ofimages for alter retrieval, for instance, via a web site or burning towritable media like a CD-R.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a photobooth system 20 that includes aphotobooth enclosure 22. The photobooth enclosure 22 provides an atleast partially enclosed space in which a photography subsystemincluding a digital camera 24, lighting 26, a first computer 28, adisplay (or monitor) 30, a speaker 32, and an actuator 34 can bepositioned. Additionally, the photobooth system 20 can include othercomponents located outside the photobooth enclosure 22, including asecond computer 36 with a display (or monitor) 38, a printer 40 and awritable media device 41, a web server 42, an Internet connection 44, aremote computer 46 with a display (or monitor) 48 and a printer 50. Thephotobooth system 20, particularly the photobooth enclosure 22 and thephotography subsystem components positioned therein, is designed to bequickly assembled and disassembled. Assembly can be performed by oneperson, with a limited number of tools.

The digital camera 24 can be any commercially available digital cameramounted within the photobooth enclosure 22 to allow photographic imagesto be captured. In particular, the photobooth system 20 can feature atleast two embodiments: a standard resolution configuration and a highresolution configuration. Users can select the particular embodimentdesired for particular events. In the standard resolution configuration,the digital camera 24 can have at least a 3 megapixel resolution thatproduces quality photo enlargements up to 5×7″ prints (and 8×10″ printswith good resolution). In the high resolution configuration, the digitalcamera 24 can be a professional 8 megapixel or greater DSLR camera thatgives professional level photo images.

The lighting 26 can be any suitable photographic lighting assembly, suchas professional quality studio lighting equipment, and is operablyconnected to the digital camera 24 (or alternatively to the firstcomputer 28) to allow flash, strobe or other lighting effects producedby the lighting 26 to be synchronized as desired with the operation ofthe digital camera 24. The lighting 26 is typically positioned toilluminate photographic subjects located within the photobooth enclosure22, and is configured or operated to provide a desired illuminationintensity within the photobooth enclosure 22. A light meter (not shown)can be used in conjunction with the lighting 26 in further embodiments.

The first computer 28 can be a commercially available personal computeroperably connected to the display 30, the speaker 32, the digital camera24 and the actuator 34, and in a preferred embodiment is a laptop typecomputer where the display is integrated with the first computer 28. Thefirst computer 28 includes convention components such a non-volatilememory, a processor, etc., and includes suitable software to communicatewith connected components and to store digital images captured by thedigital camera 24. The speaker 32 can be an external component operablyconnected to the first computer 28 (e.g., via a conventional universalserial bus (USB) connection). The first computer 28 can be installed inthe photobooth enclosure 22 in such a way that the computer is securedto prevent theft, and can provide only limited access to computerfunctionality. For example, in an embodiment where the first computer 28is a laptop computer, the laptop can be placed in a holder sleeve thatrestricts access to a keyboard. The display 30 can provide suitableprompts and instructions to users as to operation of the photoboothsystem 20, in particular providing instructions on how to activate thedigital camera 24 to capture an image, that is, to take a photograph.The first computer 28 can control operation of the digital camera 24. Inan alternative embodiment, the first computer 28 can be located outsideof the photobooth enclosure 22.

The actuator 34 can be a large button positioned to be readilyaccessible for users in the photobooth enclosure 22 who wish to take aself-portrait. In one embodiment, the actuator 34 is positioned adjacentto the display 30 and mounted with hook-and-loop material (e.g., Velcro®hook-and-loop fastener material). The actuator 34 is operably connectedto the first computer 28 (e.g., via a conventional universal serial bus(USB) connection), and depressing or otherwise actuating the actuator 34initiates the capture of a photograph with the digital camera 24.Indication that a photograph has or will be taken can be provided viathe display 30 and/or the speaker 32, as desired. In an alternativeembodiment, the actuator 34 can be provided as a touch-screen interface,which can be integrated with the display 30.

The second computer 36 is typically installed adjacent to and outside ofthe photobooth enclosure 22. As with the first computer 28, the secondcomputer 36 can be commercially available a laptop type personalcomputer in which the display 48 is integral. The printer 40 is operablyconnected to the second computer 36, and allows instant printouts ofphotographic images at a selected resolution. In a preferred embodiment,the printer 40 is configured to provide color photo printouts. Thesecond computer 36 provides access for users to review photographicimages captured with the digital camera 24. Selected photographic imagescan then be instantly printed on-site using the connected printer 40.All photographic images, whether printed or not, can be stored orarchived by the second computer 36 (or alternatively by the firstcomputer 28). The second computer 36 (or alternatively by the firstcomputer 28) is also operably connected to the writable media device 41(e.g., a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R or other writable disc drive). At theconclusion of an event, the writable media device 41 can transfer storedphotographic images to writable media (e.g., burn the images to awritable disc), which can be retained by the event organizer or others.It should be noted that the second computer 36 is optional, and can beomitted from the system 20 in alternative embodiments.

Photographic images stored or archived by the second computer 36 (oralternative on the first computer 28) can be transferred to the webserver 42 by any suitable means (e.g., a network connection, removablestorage media, etc.). It should be noted that the first and secondcomputers 36 need not be connected to the web server 42 when thephotobooth enclosure 22 and photography subsystem are assembled and usedto capture photographic images. For instance, the first or secondcomputer 28 or 36 can be set up at a new location for the purpose oftransferring data, that is, stored or archived photographic images, tothe web server 42. A web site accessible via the web server 42 isprovided for allowing remote access to the stored or archivedphotographic images in galleries. The web site can provide password andlogin protection or other security features to limit access to galleriesof stored or archived photographic images from the web server 42.Photographic images can be grouped into galleries by event, allowing theweb site and web server 42 to provide access to photographic imagescaptured at a number of different events, while limiting access to thephotographic images for each event to authorized users. Typically, theusers authorized to access photographic images from a particular eventwill be the participants and/or organizers of that event. Thus, evenpersons not able to print photographic images at the time they are takenwithin the photobooth enclosure 22 can still access those images at alater time. The provision of online photo galleries on the web site canbe included as a part of a single pricing package for use of thephotobooth system 20 paid for by event organizers, meaning that eventattendees can view the online photo galleries free of charge after theevent.

The remote computer 46 can access the web site and the web server 44 viathe Internet connection 44. The remote computer is operable connected tothe display 48 and the printer 50. It should be understood that remotecomputer 46 is merely exemplary, and any number of computers each havenearly any configuration can connect to the web site and the web server42 via the Internet connection 44. An authorized user can access the website and the web server 42 to download desired photographic imagesassociated with a gallery for a particular event, and can subsequentlystore those photographic images on the remote computer 46 and/or printthose photographic images with the printer 50.

The photobooth enclosure 22 can have numerous alternative sizes inalternative embodiments, allowing event organizer to select a suitablesize for a particular event and event location. FIG. 2 is a perspectiveview of a first embodiment of a photobooth frame 60 of the photoboothenclosure 22 in what is called the “Classic” size, which is similar insize to traditional vending machine type photobooths. The “Classic” sizephotobooth frame 60 is configured to best accommodate couples or smallgroups of up to three or four people. For illustrative purposes, aperson 61 is shown within the photobooth frame 60.

The photobooth frame 60 comprises a number of tubular members connectedtogether to provide structural support for the photobooth enclosure 22,which in the illustrated embodiment defines a substantially rectangularbox-shaped interior space. The tubular members of the photobooth frame60 can be cylindrically shaped, or can have other tubular shapes. Thetubular members are made of a relatively lightweight and rigid material,such as aluminum or plastic. The tubular members of the photobooth frame60 help make the photobooth system 20 much easier and much lessexpensive to transport and set up than traditional vending machine typephotobooths.

The tubular members of the photobooth frame 60 include fourvertically-positioned corner posts 62A-62D, a vertically-positioneddoorway post 64, four horizontally-positioned top bars 66A-66D, fourhorizontal links 68A-68D, and a camera, lights, monitor (CLM) bar 70. Agenerally U-shaped “U-fitting” 72 is also assembled from tubular membersand attached to the CLM bar 70, with the open end of the U-shapearranged horizontally and facing the CLM bar 70. The tubular members caneach be telescoping in length, to allow for compaction for storage andtransport. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, each corner post62A-62D can telescope in three sections, which can be secured tomaintain a desired length with hand-tightenable clamps 73 (only twoclamps 73 are labeled in FIG. 2 for simplicity). The telescoping tubularmembers can be collapsed for storage and transportation, and expanded tosuitable lengths for assembly with the photobooth frame 60. Markings canbe provided on each of the telescoping tubular members for easy visualidentification of suitable lengths for use with the photobooth frame 60.

Couplings, including T-fittings 74, elbows 76, top corner fittings 78and lower corner fittings 80, are provided to connect tubular memberstogether to define the photobooth frame 60. It should be noted that inFIG. 2 only a selected number of the couplings 74, 76, 78 and 80 arelabeled in FIG. 2, for simplicity. The T-fittings 74 connect an end ofone tubular member to a middle portion of an adjacent tubular member ina perpendicular, T-shaped orientation. The elbows 76 connect ends of twoadjacent tubular members together at a right angle. The top cornerfittings 78 connect ends of three adjacent tubular members together atright angles to each other. The lower corner fittings 80 connect ends ofeach of two tubular members to a middle portion of an adjacent tubularmember perpendicular to one another. The T-fittings 74, the elbows 76,the top corner fittings 78 and the lower corner fittings 80 can acceptends of tubular members each secured with a set screw (e.g., having ahead that can be tightened and released with an Allen wrench or hex-headsocket wrench). The couplings 74, 76, 78 and 80 can be made oflightweight materials, such as plastic, with metal fasteners attachedthereto.

In the illustrated embodiment, the corner posts 62A-62D are arrangedparallel to each other to define vertical edges of a rectangularperimeter of the photobooth frame 60. The top bar 66A is connectedbetween the corner posts 62A and 62B at a top of the photobooth frame66, the top bar 66B is connected between the corner posts 62B and 62C atthe top of the photobooth frame 66, the top bar 66C is connected betweenthe corner posts 62C and 62D at the top of the photobooth frame 66, andthe top bar 66D is connected between the corner posts 62D and 62A at thetop of the photobooth frame 66. The doorway post 64 is positionedbetween the corner posts 62A and 62D and connects to the top bar 66D inorder to define a doorway 81 between the doorway post 64, the cornerpost 62A and a portion of the top bar 66D. The horizontal link 68A isconnected between the corner posts 62A and 62B at an intermediate heightlocation in between the top and bottom of the photobooth frame 66, thehorizontal link 68B is connected between the corner posts 62B and 62C atthe intermediate height location, the horizontal link 68C is connectedbetween the corner posts 62C and 62D at the intermediate heightlocation, and the horizontal link 68D is connected between the cornerposts 62D and 62A at the intermediate height location. The intermediateheight location is spaced from both the top of the photobooth frame 60and the underlying ground or floor surface on which the photobooth frame60 rests, in order to provide structural support and increase therigidity and stiffness of the assembled photobooth frame 60. The CLM bar70 is connected between the top bar 66C and the horizontal link 68C, ina location that is spaced from the doorway 81 of the photobooth frame60. The CLM bar 70 includes a main portion that is parallel to thecorner posts 62A-62D and offset slightly from the top bar 66C and thehorizontal link 68C toward the interior of the photobooth frame 60. TheCLM bar 70 provides a mounting location for the photography subsystem(not shown in FIG. 2) within the photobooth enclosure 22. The U-fitting72 is connected to the CLM bar 70 at a suitable height, and positionedto extend into the interior of the enclosure of the photobooth frame 60.

Additionally, stoppers 82 are provided at bottom ends of each of thecorner posts 62A-62D and the doorway post 64. The stoppers 82 can befeet or caps made of rubber or another compliant material, in order toprotect floor surfaces on which the photobooth frame 60 is installed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the photobooth system 20 utilizing thefirst embodiment of the photobooth frame 60, with a fabric covering 84installed over the frame 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the fabric covering 84covers substantially all of the photobooth frame 60, including completecoverage of a top and four sides of the frame 60, but excluding thedoorway 81 and the bottom along the floor or ground surface on which theframe 60 rests. Chairs or other seating (not shown) for users can beprovided within the photobooth enclosure 22. A movable curtain 86 ispositioned to cover at least a portion of the doorway 81. A suitablebackdrop (not shown) can additionally be provided within the photoboothenclosure 22. The fabric covering 84 and the curtain 86 provide agenerally opaque barrier in between tubular members of the photoboothframe 60, to enclose the interior space of the frame 60 in order toprovide a suitable barrier to light and a suitable backdrop for photoscaptured inside. In one embodiment, the fabric covering 84 is a blackcloth material and the curtain 86 is a red cloth material. The fabriccovering 84 can be draped or wrapped around the tubular members of thephotobooth frame 60. The curtain 86 can be secured to the photoboothframe 60 at the doorway 81 with hook-and-loop material 88 (e.g., Velcro®hook-and-loop fastener material), shown in FIG. 2 but not visible inFIG. 3. The fabric covering 84 and the curtain 86 provide an attractiveappearance to the photobooth enclosure 22, in contrast to theunattractive appearance of most rented vending machine type booths.Thus, the photobooth enclosure 22 of the present invention can add tothe beauty and ambiance of a room where installed, rather thandetracting from it. The fabric covering 84 and the curtain 86 can beeasily cleaned, which helps the photobooth system 20 maintain a cleanerappearance over time than traditional vending machine style photobooths,which tend to accumulate unsightly dust and dirt.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a photoboothframe 160 of the photobooth system 20 with a fabric covering 84partially installed. The photobooth frame 160 in the illustratedembodiment is what is called the “Contemporary” size, which is larger insize than traditional vending machine type photobooths. The“Contemporary” size photobooth frame 160 is particularly well suited forweddings, and can handle larger groups of four or more persons yet stillproduce nicely composed portraits for couples. For illustrativepurposes, a person 61 is shown adjacent to the photobooth frame 160installing the fabric covering 84.

The photobooth frame 160 can be constructed from tubular members similarto those described above with respect to the first embodiment of theframe 60, including four vertically-positioned corner posts 62A-62D,four horizontally-positioned top bars 66A-66D, four horizontal links68A-68D, a CLM bar 70, a U-fitting 72 assembled from tubular members.Also, couplings, including T-fittings 74, elbows 76, top corner fittings78 and lower corner fittings 80, are provided to connect tubular memberstogether to define the photobooth frame 160. The photobooth frame 160can be assembled from the same tubular members that can be assembled toform the first embodiment frame 60, assembled in a different manner toform the second embodiment frame 160. In order to assemble the tubularmembers in a different configuration, the tubular members can betelescoped to different lengths to match the desired configuration. Thephotobooth frame 160 differs from the photobooth frame 60 in that thelarge second embodiment frame 160 includes two vertically-positioneddoorway posts 64A and 64B and a horizontally-extending doorway header164 connected between the doorway posts 64A and 64B. Additionally, afifth horizontal link 68E is connected between the second doorway post64B and the corner post 62A. As shown in FIG. 4, a doorway 81 is definedbetween the doorway posts 64A and 64B and the doorway header 164, and ispositioned approximately halfway between the corner posts 62A and 62D.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the photobooth system 20 utilizing thesecond embodiment of the photobooth frame 160. As with the firstembodiment, the fabric covering 84 covers substantially all of thesecond embodiment photobooth frame 160, including complete coverage of atop and four sides of the frame 160, but excluding the doorway 81 andthe bottom along the floor or ground surface on which the frame 160rests. Chairs or other seating (not shown) can be provided within thephotobooth enclosure 22. A movable curtain 86 is positioned to cover atleast a portion of the doorway 81. The fabric covering 84 can be a blackcloth material and the curtain 86 can be a red cloth material. Thefabric covering 84 can be draped or wrapped around the tubular membersof the photobooth frame 160. The curtain 86 can be secured to thephotobooth frame 160 at the doorway 81 with hook-and-loop material 88(e.g., Velcro® hook-and-loop fastener material), shown in FIG. 4 but notvisible in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a photography subsystem ofthe photobooth system being installed to the U-fitting 72 of aphotobooth enclosure 22 (having any embodiment of a photobooth frame).More particularly, FIG. 6 shows a first computer 28 in a mounting sleeve190 with an attached speaker 32 being installed to a vertical portion ofthe U-fitting 72 by a person 61. In the illustrated embodiment,hook-and-loop material 88 is provided on a horizontal portion of theU-fitting 72.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of lighting 26 being secured to a CLM bar70 of a photobooth enclosure 22 (having any embodiment of a photoboothframe). In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting 26 is a professionalquality light unit with a hand-tightenable clamp.

The photobooth system 20 can be disassembled for storage and transport.FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a pair of cases 192 and 194 each holdingcomponents of the photobooth system 20. In the illustrated embodiment,the case 192 is a hard-sided case comparable in size to a golf clubcase, with exemplary tubular members 62A and 66A and fabric covering 84shown located in side the case 192. The case 194 is a soft-sided, paddedcase, with exemplary photographic subsystem components including adigital camera 24 and lighting 26 shown inside the case 194, in theillustrated embodiment. The cases 192 and 194 allow transport of thephotobooth system 20 in a compact fashion, with the tubular members ofthe photobooth frame telescoped to their shortest possible lengths andfragile equipment packed separately with suitable padding.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for assembling andoperating the photobooth system 20. First, the photobooth system 20 istransported to an event location (step 200). Next, photobooth systemcomponents are unpacked from any case or cases in which they were storedfor transportation and storage (step 202). Once unpacked, the photoboothframe 60 or 160 of the photobooth enclosure 22 can be assembled at theevent location (step 204). The photography subsystem can then beinstalled (step 206), including, for example, installation of thedigital camera 24, the lighting 26, computers 28 and 36, the displays 30and 38, the speaker 32, the actuator 34, and the printer 40. Somecomponents of the photography subsystem, such as the printer 40, areinstalled outside of the photobooth enclosure 22, such as on a tablelocated adjacent to the photobooth enclosure 22 and covered with atablecloth consistent in appearance with the fabric covering 84 of thephotobooth enclosure 22. The photobooth frame 60 or 160 can then becovered with the fabric covering 84, and the curtain 86 installed (step208). It should be understood that the photography subsystem can beinstalled after or before the fabric covering 84 and the curtain 86 areplaced on the photobooth frame 60 or 160, in alternative embodiments. Asmentioned above, assembly can be performed by one person with a limitednumber of tools.

In operation, after the photobooth system 20 has been fully assembled, auser enters the photobooth enclosure 22 and actuates the actuator 34 tocapture a photographic image with the digital camera 24, with thelighting providing illumination at or near the time the image iscaptured (step 210). Instruction for image capture can be prompted tousers by the display 30 within the photobooth enclosure 22. Photographicimages captured by the digital camera 24 are transferred via the firstcomputer 28 to the second computer 36. Users can then review capturedimages on-site (step 212), for instance, users can view captured imageson the display 30 operably connected to the second computer 36 andlocated outside the photobooth enclosure 22. Users can then instantlyprint selected captured images as photo prints using the printer 40(step 214). Regardless of whether any photos were printed at step 214,all captured images are stored electronically (step 216). As discussedabove, the stored photo images can be saved to a computer and/or awritable disc media.

After the event has concluded where the photobooth enclosure 22 wasinstalled, stored photo images can be posted to image galleries on a website hosted on the web server 42 (step 218). A user at a remote computer46 can access images in selected image galleries of the web site over anInternet connection 44 (step 220). Access to the online galleries can berestricted by password, or using other security features, for instance,to limit access of certain users to photo galleries for particularevents. Once accessed from an online gallery, selected images can thenbe stored (step 222) and printed (step 224) as desired, using the remotecomputer 46 and the operably connected display 48 and printer 50.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. For instance, the particular positioning ofa camera within a photobooth enclosure of the present invention can varyas desired for particular applications, as can the particular size,shape, and configuration of a photobooth frame defining the photoboothenclosure. Moreover, the layout and functionality of the online webgalleries that make available photo images captures in the photoboothenclosure for viewing and/or printing at remote locations can vary asdesired.

1. A portable photobooth system comprises: a frame comprising aplurality of tubular members configured to be connected together andcapable of disassembly for storage and transport, wherein the pluralityof tubular members of the frame include a substantiallyvertically-extending first bar and a U-shaped fitting attached to thefirst bar; fabric for covering at least portions of the frame to definea rectangular box-like enclosure having a doorway; a movable curtain forcovering the doorway; and a digital camera supported by the U-shapedfitting.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises:a plurality of corner posts; a first doorway post; a plurality of topbars; a plurality of horizontal links; and a plurality of couplings forinterconnecting the plurality of tubular members, wherein the pluralityof corner posts are each configured to be arranged vertically at cornerlocations of a rectangular perimeter when assembled in the frame,wherein the first doorway post is configured to be arranged parallel tothe plurality of corner posts when assembled in the frame, wherein eachof the plurality of top bars is configured to be connected horizontallybetween adjacent pairs of the plurality of corner posts at a top of therectangular perimeter of the frame, wherein the horizontal links areconfigured to be connected horizontally between adjacent pairs of theplurality of corner posts and the first doorway post at sides of theframe at a location between the top and a bottom of the frame, wherein adoorway is defined adjacent to the first doorway post when the frame isassembled, and wherein the first bar is connected between one of theplurality of top bars and one of the plurality of horizontal links whenassembled in the frame.
 3. The system of claim 2, the frame furthercomprising: a second doorway post positioned adjacent to and parallel tothe first doorway post when assembled in the frame, wherein the doorwayis defined between the first and second doorway posts; and a doorwayheader connected horizontally between the first and second doorway postswhen assembled in the frame.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein each ofthe corner posts provides for telescoping length adjustment.
 5. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein each of the top bars, the first doorway postand each of the horizontal links all provide for telescoping lengthadjustment.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the couplings comprise: atop corner fitting for connecting ends of two of the top bars to an endof one of the plurality of corner posts at right angles to each otherwhen assembled in the frame; a lower corner fitting for connecting endsof two of the horizontal links to a middle portion of one of theplurality of corner posts at right angles to one another when assembledin the frame; and a T-fitting for connecting an end of one of thehorizontal links to a middle portion of the first doorway post whenassembled in the frame.
 7. The system of claim 1 and further comprising:rubber stoppers covering bottom ends at least some of the tubularmembers for protecting a floor surface on which the frame rests fromdamage.
 8. A photobooth system comprising: a frame capable ofdisassembly and assembly on-site to define an enclosure, the framecomprising: a plurality of tubular members including a plurality ofcorner posts, a first doorway post, a plurality of top bars, and aplurality of horizontal links; and a plurality of couplings forinterconnecting the plurality of tubular members, wherein the pluralityof corner posts are each configured to be arranged vertically at cornerlocations of a rectangular perimeter when assembled in the frame,wherein the first doorway post is configured to be arranged parallel tothe plurality of corner posts when assembled in the frame, wherein eachof the plurality of top bars is configured to be connected horizontallybetween adjacent pairs of the plurality of corner posts at a top of therectangular perimeter of the frame, wherein the horizontal links areconfigured to be connected horizontally between adjacent pairs of theplurality of corner posts and the first doorway post at sides of theframe at a location between the top and a bottom of the frame, andwherein a doorway is defined adjacent to the first doorway post when theframe is assembled; and one or more fabric coverings secured to theframe to cover the sides and top of the frame leaving the doorwayexposed; a curtain for covering at least a portion of the doorway; and aphotography subsystem comprising: a digital camera positioned within theenclosure defined by the frame; and a printer operably connected to thedigital camera.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the couplingscomprise: a top corner fitting for connecting ends of two of the topbars to an end of one of the plurality of corner posts at right anglesto each other when assembled in the frame; a lower corner fitting forconnecting ends of two of the horizontal links to a middle portion ofone of the plurality of corner posts at right angles to one another whenassembled in the frame; and a T-fitting for connecting an end of one ofthe horizontal links to a middle portion of the first doorway post whenassembled in the frame.
 10. The system of claim 8, the frame furthercomprising: a second doorway post positioned adjacent to and parallel tothe first doorway post when assembled in the frame, wherein the doorwayis defined between the first and second doorway posts; and a doorwayheader connected horizontally between the first and second doorway postswhen assembled in the frame.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein each ofthe corner posts provides for telescoping length adjustment.
 12. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein each of the top bars, the first doorway postand each of the horizontal links all provide for telescoping lengthadjustment.
 13. The system of claim 8, the frame further comprising: afirst bar having at least a portion that is connected between one of theplurality of top bars and one of the plurality of horizontal links whenassembled in the frame.
 14. The system of claim 13, the frame furthercomprising: a U-shaped fitting connected to the first bar when assembledin the frame, wherein the U-shaped fitting provides a mounting locationfor the digital camera within the enclosure of the frame.
 15. Aphotography method comprising: assembling a photobooth enclosure, thestep comprising: assembling a frame of the photobooth enclosure byconnecting tubular members together; and placing a fabric covering onthe frame; installing a digital camera within the photobooth enclosure;capturing at least one self-portrait of a user within the photoboothenclosure using the digital camera; saving the at least oneself-portrait as one or more electronic photo images; printing aselected one of the one or more electronic photo images at or near alocation where the photobooth enclosure is assembled; and providingaccess to the one or more electronic photo images for later retrieval.16. The method of claim 15 and further comprising: transportingcomponents of the photobooth enclosure to an event location prior toassembling the photobooth enclosure.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinthe step of providing access to the one or more electronic photo imagesfor later retrieval comprises: providing an online gallery of savedelectronic photo images.
 18. The method of claim 17 and furthercomprising: providing a password to access one of the online photogalleries.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providingaccess to the one or more electronic photo images for later retrievalcomprises: saving the one or more electronic photo images to a writabledisc media.
 20. The method of claim 15 and further comprising:installing a computer adjacent to and outside the photobooth enclosureand operably connected to the digital camera, for allowing users toreview electronic photo images and selecting ones for printing.